Shiphay Lane Crossing and Access Improvements

Update 18 August 2026

What to expect during the phase 2 construction works in August and September 2026

During the week beginning 17 August, work to provide new carriageway markings will take place across Monday, Tuesday and potentially also Wednesday nights (working hours 19:00 – 05:00). These works will have some impact on traffic using Shiphay Lane as well as the accesses on to Queensway and Summerfield Road so the works will take place with traffic management in place but have been scheduled to take place overnight to minimise disruption. Other works to install remaining poles and street furniture will take place towards the end of the week which will not impact traffic.

On 3 to 4 September controller cabinet and cabling works will take place. On 10 to 11 September (subject to weather) high friction surfacing will be added to Shiphay Lane during Thursday and Friday nights (7pm to 5am). Following the completion of these works the signals will be commissioned on 16 September. Once this has been done, the signals will then be operational and ready for the public to use,

Update 3 August 2026

We want to improve the opportunities to travel on foot or by cycle around the Bay. Torbay Council was successful in receiving grant funding from the Government’s Active Travel Fund (ATF4) to deliver a new Toucan crossing and access improvements at Shiphay Lane. The creation of a new crossing and new entrance will together create a much more desirable and safer link from Rainbow Drive to the Torbay Hospital path, which together form part of the ‘Hospital Trail’. This route has been identified as important within Torbay’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

These works will occur in two phases. The first phase was carried out in 2025 and involved dismantling then reconstructing the walls at the Rainbow Drive (leading from Rowcroft) exit on to Shiphay Lane to create a repositioned vehicular entrance and a new, separate entrance for pedestrians and cycles, linked directly to the new crossing. The second phase will begin from August 2026 and involve installing traffic signals at the crossing and providing new road markings. Once phase 2 is complete the crossing will be fully operational for use, opening during September 2026.

A plan of the works and a ‘before and after’ visualisation of the completed scheme can be viewed below.

How the new crossing will affect traffic flow and pedestrian waits

We have carefully considered the impact of the new crossing on vehicular traffic and people using the crossing. We recognise that Shiphay Lane is a key route for vehicles and therefore we have taken steps to particularly minimise the impact on traffic, whilst also providing an acceptable experience for users of the crossing.

Smart technology will ensure that the crossing is linked and operates in conjunction with the lights that operate on Newton Road. The crossing will be limited to activate once during every cycle of traffic lights, when demanded (i.e. the button is pressed by someone at the crossing). The Newton Road traffic lights run on a 120 second cycle. This means that, depending on when someone presses the button, a person could wait up to a maximum of 120 seconds before the crossing is activated. Or to put it another way, if the crossing is activated every cycle there will be a period of 120 seconds of traffic flowing through the crossing and 5 seconds where the crossing is activated giving people time to safely cross. This phasing has been designed taking into account surveys and modelling of the impact on traffic and pedestrians.

What to expect during the phase 2 construction works in August and September 2026

During the week beginning 17 August, carriageway markings, high friction surfacing and road studs will be installed during works taking place across approximately 3 nights. As part of these works accesses on to Summerfield Lane and Queensway will be restricted for some of the time. Signage will be in place.

During the week beginning 24 August, the installation of the toucan crossing and associated equipment will take place. Not that although the signals will be in place, the signalised crossing will not be operational until the Setember works.

During mid-September the crossing will be commissioned (and fully opened for use)

Proposed improvements to Rainbow Drive steps

We will also prepare a separate scheme to deliver a new ramp, adjacent to the existing steps, which will provide an alternative step-free access option for users. Work has begun on the design and this will be progressed this year with a view to starting construction, subject to funding, in 2026. The new ramp should significantly improve the ability of people to use the Hospital Trail, including particularly those using bicycles, wheelchairs, mobility aids, mobility scooters and pushchairs. Taken together, both the Shiphay Lane crossing and access improvements and the future ‘Rainbow Ramp’ are anticipated to bring substantial benefits to the community making the route accessible to all.